Wednesday, October 03, 2007

The adventure, the clear-out and the open day

Tom's been away, camping on Hellvelyn (in a change to the original Scotland plan, while we magicked his room from this:

to this:

Which took quite a while!

He enjoyed his trip, though next time says he will be more prepared, take less gear and more money. He did wildcamp most of the way, with only a campsite stay on the last night then a bus ride back to town. He's already planning another trip for the spring.

His comments on the open day were interesting. He was amazed that the other prospective students all turned up with their parents and then asked no questions about the course and showed little interest in it. He's hoping this condition isn't permanent, because it might be a bit offputting if he decides to apply and is successful.

Gill, I went to all the university open days on my own - back in the the late 1980s - and that was what most people did. I was quite proud of the fact that I went round the country on trains, looking at cities where I might choose to live. These days many, many students turn up with parents, who often do seem more interested than their offspring.

Even more astonishing are the parents who spend days moving their children into halls at the start of term - staying in nearby hotels for a weekend or more. I even have parents asking how to do things like get their children registered on the computer network. Had one recently who had no idea of his password as his mum had sorted it for him! I find this all quite bizarre when the new students are all over 18. I don't think it does the kids any favours.

Friend of ours' daughter has landed on her cushy feet going to York Uni this week, she's ended up at the Holiday Inn fully paid for a week as the halls of res aren't ready. Including the hotel swimming pool...